Ear Pain (Otalgia) GERD trauma to the ear, jaw or neck You should be prepared to give a thorough history of your symptoms and undergo a physical examination when visiting your physician’s office for ear pain. Here is a list of some of the questions your doctor may ask: When did the pain start? Are you experiencing any loss of hearing, ear drainage , or tinnitus ? Is the pain constant or does it come and go? Do you have any difficulty with balance or bouts of dizziness? Does your child have frequent ear infections ? Did you have frequent ear infections as a child? Have you experienced any hoarseness ? Do you have difficulty or pain associated with swallowing? Have you lost unexpected weight recently? Do you smoke or use tobacco products? How frequently (i.e. how many packs a day)? Do you drink alcohol and if so how frequently? Have you been told that you grind your teeth at night? Do you notice yourself clenching your teeth during the day when you are feeling stress? Do you find yourself constantly chewing gum? Being prepared to answer these questions will be particularly useful when your visit is with a general practitioner, as they may not be as familiar with the many different diagnoses for otalgia.

Physical Exam for Otalgia Inspection of the ear canal and tympanic membrane with an otoscope will likely be performed to look for otitis media . Your doctor will also look at your outer ear to check for signs of infection (swimmer's ear) or injuries. A Weber Tuning Fork may also be used to help the physician determine if there is either bone or air conductive hearing loss . Your physician will also assess your nasal and oral cavities. Your doctor may also look at your back molars to check for signs of grinding or frequent clenching of the teeth. Assessment of the neck is done to look for enlarged lymph nodes , an enlarged thyroid, or other masses. As Temporomandibular Joint disorder is a common cause for otalgia in adults, this joint may be palpated by the physician. Other exams may be needed to fully identify the cause of otalgia. Other exams may include laryngoscopy, endoscopy , CT scan , MRI, X-Rays, and audiometry. Treatment of Otalgia As there are many different causes of otalgia, there are similarly many different possible treatments. The treatment of choice will be linked to the cause of ear pain.

The treatment may be as simple as antibiotics and some Tylenol or Advil, or it may involve surgery (i.e. myringotomy , total thyroidectomy, removal of cancer, etc.). Fortunately, the majority of cases of otalgia are curable. Sources: Chen, R.C., Khorsandi, A.S., Shatzkes, D.R., & Holliday, R.A. (2009). The Radiology of Referred Otalgia. The American Journal of Neuroradiology. Accessed: April 4, 2010 from Medline Plus. (2009). Earache. Accessed: April 1, 2010 from Wax, M.K. (2011). Primary Cary Otolaryngology Chapter 16: Head and Neck Cancer. The American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Foundation. Retrieved on July 31, 2015 from Continue Reading Otalgia: Background, Pathophysiology, Epidemiology Pathophysiology Overview Background Otalgia is defined as ear pain. Two separate and distinct types of otalgia exist.

Pain that originates within the ear is primary otalgia; pain that originates outside the ear is referred otalgia. Typical sources of primary otalgia are external otitis , otitis media , mastoiditis , and auricular infections . Most physicians are well trained in the diagnosis of these conditions. When an ear is draining and accompanied by tympanic membrane perforation , simply looking in the ear and noting the pathology can make the diagnosis. When the tympanic membrane appears normal, however, the diagnosis becomes more difficult. Referred otalgia is a topic unto itself. Although many entities can cause referred otalgia, their relationship to ear pain must be identified. A categorical discussion of the workup, treatment, prognosis, demographics, and other issues is impossible because the various pathologies responsible for creating referred otalgia are so diverse. Reports document that not all otalgia originates from the ear. Many remote anatomic sites share dual innervation with the ear, and noxious stimuli to these areas may be perceived as otogenic pain. By definition, referred otalgia is the sensation of ear pain originating from a source outside the ear.

To better understand referred otalgia, the physician first must understand the anatomic distribution of nerves associated with the ear. Irritation of these nerves, as well as irritation of distant branches of these nerves, can cause the perception of pain within the ear. The picture below demonstrates the diversity of pathologies that can be the source of referred otalgia. This picture demonstrates the diversity of pathologies that can be the source of referred otalgia. Next: Pathophysiology The sensory innervation of the ear is served by the auriculotemporal branch of the fifth cranial nerve (CN V), the first and second cervical nerves, the Jacobson branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve, the Arnold branch of the vagus nerve, and the Ramsey Hunt branch of the facial nerve. Neuroanatomically, the sensation of otalgia is thought to center in the spinal tract nucleus of CN V. Not surprisingly, fibers from CNs V, VII, IX, and X and cervical nerves 1, 2, and 3 have been found to enter this spinal tract nucleus caudally near the medulla. Hence, noxious stimulation of any branch of the aforementioned nerves may be interpreted as otalgia.

Previous Next: Epidemiology In a study of US emergency department (ED) patients with otologic complaints, Kozin et al found that the most commonly diagnosed conditions were otitis media not otherwise specified (NOS) (60.6%), infected otitis externa NOS (11.8%), and otalgia NOS (6.8%). The data was drawn from a weighted total of 8,611,282 ED visits for otologic problems between 2009 and 2011. [ 1 ] In a Korean study of 294 patients with otalgia, the prevalence of primary otalgia was found to be higher in children than in adults and in men than in women, while referred otalgia was more likely to occur in adults in general and in women in particular. The study, by Kim et al, also found that neuralgia occurred more frequently in women than in men with referred otalgia. [ 2 ] Previous References Kozin ED, Sethi RK, Remenschneider AK, et al. Epidemiology of otologic diagnoses in United States emergency departments. Laryngoscope. 2015 Aug.

125 (8):1926-33. [Medline] . Kim SH, Kim TH, Byun JY, Park MS, Yeo SG. Clinical Differences in Types of Otalgia. J Audiol Otol. 2015 Apr. 19 (1):34-8. [Medline] . Adour KK. Acute temporomandibular joint pain-dysfunction syndrome: neuro-otologic and electromyographic study. Am J Otolaryngol. 1981 May. 2(2):114-22. [Medline] . Al-Sheikhli AR. Pain in the ear--with special reference to referred pain. J Laryngol Otol. 1980 Dec. 94(12):1433-40. [Medline] . Frankel VH. Whiplash injuries to the neck. Hirsch C, Zotterman Y, eds. Cervical Pain. New York, NY: Pergamon Press; 1971. Pinheiro TG, Soares VY, Ferreira DB, Raymundo IT, Nascimento LA, Oliveira CA.

Eagle's Syndrome. Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2013 Jul. 17 (3):347-50. [Medline] . Gibson WS Jr, Cochran W. Otalgia in infants and children--a manifestation of gastroesophageal reflux. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 1994. Jan;28(2-3):213-8. Kuttila S, Kuttila M, Le Bell Y. Characteristics of subjects with secondary otalgia. J Orofac Pain. 2004 Summer. 18(3):226-34. Scarbrough TJ, Day TA, Williams TE. Referred otalgia in head and neck cancer: a unifying schema. Am J Clin Oncol. 2003. Oct;26(5):e157-62. Shah RK, Blevins NH. Otalgia. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2003 Dec. 36(6):1137-51. [Medline] . Subramaniam S, Majid MD.

Eagle's syndrome. Med J Malaysia. 2003 Mar. 58(1):139-41. [Medline] . Travell JG, Simons DG. Myofascial pain and dysfunction. The Trigger Point Manual. Baltimore, Md: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 1983. Media Gallery This picture demonstrates the diversity of pathologies that can be the source of referred otalgia. of 1 Author John C Li, MD Private Practice in Otology and Neurotology; Medical Director, Balance Center Disclosure: Received consulting fee from Synthes Power Tools for consulting. Specialty Editor Board Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference Disclosure: Received salary from Medscape for employment. for: Medscape.

Peter S Roland, MD Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery, Professor and Chairman, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Director, Clinical Center for Auditory, Vestibular, and Facial Nerve Disorders, Chief of Pediatric Otology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; Chief of Pediatric Otology, Children’s Medical Center of Dallas; President of Medical Staff, Parkland Memorial Hospital; Adjunct Professor of Communicative Disorders, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Chief of Medical Service, Callier Center for Communicative Disorders, University of Texas School of Human Development Disclosure: Received honoraria from Alcon Labs for consulting; Received honoraria from Advanced Bionics for board membership; Received honoraria from Cochlear Corp for board membership; Received travel grants from Med El Corp for consulting.

Chief Editor Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA Professor of Otolaryngology, Dentistry, and Engineering, University of Colorado School of Medicine Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery , American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery , American Head and Neck Society Disclosure: Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant or trustee for: Cerescan;RxRevu;SymbiaAllergySolutions<br/>Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: Symbia<br/>Received from Allergy Solutions, Inc for board membership; Received honoraria from RxRevu for chief medical editor; Received salary from Medvoy for founder and president; Received consulting fee from Corvectra for senior medical advisor; Received ownership interest from Cerescan for consulting; Received consulting fee from Essiahealth for advisor; Received consulting fee from Carespan for advisor; Received consulting fee from Covidien for consulting.

Additional Contributors Michael E Hoffer, MD Director, Spatial Orientation Center, Department of Otolaryngology, Naval Medical Center of San Diego Michael E Hoffer, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Disclosure: Received royalty from American biloogical group for other. Acknowledgements Jared Brunk, PA-C Physician Assistant Certified, Office of John Li, MD Disclosure: Nothing to disclose. Thomas Ulrich, PA-C Physician Assistant Certified, Office of John Li, MD Disclosure: Nothing to disclose. Otalgia - definition of otalgia by The Free Dictionary Otalgia - definition of otalgia by The Free Dictionary Pain in the ear; earache. o·tal′gic adj. (Pathology) the technical name for earache ear•ache a pain or ache in the ear; otalgia. [1650–60] ache , aching - a dull persistent (usually moderately intense) pain Translations Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us , add a link to this page, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content .

Link to this page: Sweet syndrome: a case report and review of the literature AOM is defined as an acute upper respiratory tract infection, affecting one or both ears (often associated with infection in the rest of the upper respiratory tract), presenting with: * Otalgia (holding, tugging, rubbing of the ear in a non-verbal child) * Hearing loss * Pyrexia, with nausea and dizziness that may develop concurrently 2. Updated recommendations for the management of upper respiratory tract infections in South Africa It initially presents with a sore throat or neck pain but can present with a variety of nonspecific symptoms such as rigor, shaking chills, fever, night sweats, unilateral neck swelling, otalgia, otorrhea, dental ache, orbital pain, bone/joint pain, limb weakness, or gastrointestinal symptoms. Lemierre's syndrome Although DISH is usually asymptomatic, it can induce dysphagia, stridor, cough, odynophagia, otalgia, foreign body sensation, neck pain, and restriction of the mobility of the spine.

Otalgia Treatment & Management: Medical Care, Consultations, Diet Otalgia Treatment & Management Author: John C Li, MD; Chief Editor: Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA more... Share Treatment Medical Care Identification of a causative etiology is often necessary to successfully treat referred otalgia. Once determined, most causes of referred otalgia can be readily treated. Use antibiotics in treating various types of infections (eg, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis). Use antivirals if the causative agent is suspected to be viral such as in cases associated with herpes zoster or shingles. Antifungals are indicated if the source is caused by a fungus (eg, oral thrush/candidiasis). Antiulcer/antacid medications can be used for esophagitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Use NSAIDs when myalgias and neuralgias are suspected. Re-examine the patient after a 2-week trial of NSAIDs. Strong narcotic analgesics are not indicated and should not be used to treat referred otalgia. Narcotics may mask symptoms, making the correct diagnosis difficult to reach. Perform a detailed search for the underlying diagnosis before initiating treatment.

Starting analgesics before reaching a diagnosis increases the difficulty of determining the cause and may possibly obscure a life-threatening condition such as an occult cancer. Any of the previously mentioned treatments can be implemented when the exact cause of referred otalgia is suspected. If the problem persists after a 2- to 3-week trial, a more advanced algorithm is indicated. History should include the following: Otologic history - Tinnitus, hearing, vertigo Sinuses GI history - Dysphagia, esophagitis, reflux Neurologic history - Neuralgias Physical examination should include the following: Nasopharyngoscopy Preliminary testing (appropriate to symptoms) should include the following: Audio Chest radiography Panorex imaging Treat the underlying problem appropriately with trial medications (eg, antibiotics, NSAIDs) and 2-week follow-up or with appropriate consultation (eg, dentist, gastroenterologist, neurologist, rheumatologist, neurosurgeon). If the findings on history, physical examination, and testing are inconclusive, consider local anesthesia to block the source of pain as follows: Nasal cavity pathology: Spray may localize the problem to the sinus or sphenopalatine oral cavity; consider specific nerve blocks.

Larynx: Use gargle or transtracheal 4% lidocaine. Ear canal: Use topical agent for sensitive ear canal; consider injection for chorda tympani. Muscular trigger points: Lidocaine injection can be useful in diagnosis. If history and physical examination findings are inconclusive, perform other diagnostic procedures if suspicion still exists for the following conditions: Upper respiratory tract tumor - Panendoscopy, chest radiography, CT scanning, or MRI as needed Sinus disease - Sinus CT scanning Intracranial/intratemporal disease - Audiometric battery and CT scanning or MRI as needed Autoimmune disease - ESR, thyroid function studies (thyroiditis, temporal arteritis) Endolymphatic hydrops - ESR, thyroid function test (TFT), fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-Abs) test, fasting glucose, lipid profile Eustachian tube dysfunction - Autoinsufflation (consider myringotomy) Psychiatric disorder - Consider psychiatric consultation. If no diagnosis is reached, consider watchful surveillance for 1-3 months and then re-evaluate. Next: Consultations In patients with odontogenic problems, either a dentist or an oral surgeon may be very helpful.

Neurologists and pain management specialists (anesthesiologists) may treat neuralgias. Other consultations may be necessary, including a gastroenterologist for persons needing a further evaluation that requires a barium swallow or upper endoscopy or a rheumatology consultation for the evaluation of arthritis and other joint disorders. Previous Next: Diet Diet may be relevant if the patient has dental problems. A soft mechanical diet may be necessary to avoid exacerbation of the problem. Previous Next: Activity Because of the diversity of the causes of referred otalgia, listing activity restrictions on a general basis is impossible. Activity considerations are case specific. For example, patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction should consider activities that involve jaw clenching. Previous References Kozin ED, Sethi RK, Remenschneider AK, et al. Epidemiology of otologic diagnoses in United States emergency departments. Laryngoscope. 2015 Aug. 125 (8):1926-33. [Medline] . Kim SH, Kim TH, Byun JY, Park MS, Yeo SG. Clinical Differences in Types of Otalgia. J Audiol Otol. 2015 Apr.

19 (1):34-8. [Medline] . Adour KK. Acute temporomandibular joint pain-dysfunction syndrome: neuro-otologic and electromyographic study. Am J Otolaryngol. 1981 May. 2(2):114-22. [Medline] . Al-Sheikhli AR. Pain in the ear--with special reference to referred pain. J Laryngol Otol. 1980 Dec. 94(12):1433-40. [Medline] . Frankel VH. Whiplash injuries to the neck. Hirsch C, Zotterman Y, eds. Cervical Pain. New York, NY: Pergamon Press; 1971. Pinheiro TG, Soares VY, Ferreira DB, Raymundo IT, Nascimento LA, Oliveira CA. Eagle's Syndrome. Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2013 Jul. 17 (3):347-50. [Medline] . Gibson WS Jr, Cochran W.

Otalgia in infants and children--a manifestation of gastroesophageal reflux. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 1994. Jan;28(2-3):213-8. Kuttila S, Kuttila M, Le Bell Y. Characteristics of subjects with secondary otalgia. J Orofac Pain. 2004 Summer. 18(3):226-34. Scarbrough TJ, Day TA, Williams TE. Referred otalgia in head and neck cancer: a unifying schema. Am J Clin Oncol. 2003. Oct;26(5):e157-62. Shah RK, Blevins NH. Otalgia. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2003 Dec. 36(6):1137-51. [Medline] . Subramaniam S, Majid MD. Eagle's syndrome. Med J Malaysia. 2003 Mar. 58(1):139-41. [Medline] . Travell JG, Simons DG.

Myofascial pain and dysfunction. The Trigger Point Manual. Baltimore, Md: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 1983. Media Gallery This picture demonstrates the diversity of pathologies that can be the source of referred otalgia. of 1 Author John C Li, MD Private Practice in Otology and Neurotology; Medical Director, Balance Center Disclosure: Received consulting fee from Synthes Power Tools for consulting. Specialty Editor Board Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference Disclosure: Received salary from Medscape for employment. for: Medscape.

Peter S Roland, MD Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery, Professor and Chairman, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Director, Clinical Center for Auditory, Vestibular, and Facial Nerve Disorders, Chief of Pediatric Otology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; Chief of Pediatric Otology, Children’s Medical Center of Dallas; President of Medical Staff, Parkland Memorial Hospital; Adjunct Professor of Communicative Disorders, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Chief of Medical Service, Callier Center for Communicative Disorders, University of Texas School of Human Development Disclosure: Received honoraria from Alcon Labs for consulting; Received honoraria from Advanced Bionics for board membership; Received honoraria from Cochlear Corp for board membership; Received travel grants from Med El Corp for consulting.

Chief Editor Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA Professor of Otolaryngology, Dentistry, and Engineering, University of Colorado School of Medicine Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery , American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery , American Head and Neck Society Disclosure: Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant or trustee for: Cerescan;RxRevu;SymbiaAllergySolutions<br/>Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: Symbia<br/>Received from Allergy Solutions, Inc for board membership; Received honoraria from RxRevu for chief medical editor; Received salary from Medvoy for founder and president; Received consulting fee from Corvectra for senior medical advisor; Received ownership interest from Cerescan for consulting; Received consulting fee from Essiahealth for advisor; Received consulting fee from Carespan for advisor; Received consulting fee from Covidien for consulting.

Additional Contributors Michael E Hoffer, MD Director, Spatial Orientation Center, Department of Otolaryngology, Naval Medical Center of San Diego Michael E Hoffer, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Disclosure: Received royalty from American biloogical group for other. Acknowledgements Jared Brunk, PA-C Physician Assistant Certified, Office of John Li, MD Disclosure: Nothing to disclose. Thomas Ulrich, PA-C Physician Assistant Certified, Office of John Li, MD Disclosure: Nothing to disclose. Earache: Causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention Select An Article Earache: Causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention Earache can be painful. The NHS says it is the most common reason for parents to call out-of-hours doctor services about their child . Earache is more common in children than it is in adults. The pain from earache can be constant or it may come and go. It can feel like a burning sensation or a sharp, or dull, pain . It can affect both ears at once or just one ear.

Anatomy of an ear infection slideshow Causes of earache Just as the pain from earache affects people in different ways, there are a variety of causes of earache. Some of them affect the ear itself, others are from conditions affecting areas close to the ears. Common reasons for earache include: Fluid building up deep inside the eardrum. Known as glue ear , this affects children more than adults Infection of the ear canal outside the eardrum (otitis externa) A boil or infected hair follicle in the ear canal Eczema in the ear canal ( seborrhoeic dermatitis ) Injury in the ear canal from objects poked inside, such as cotton buds or sharp objects Blockages in the ear from plugs of earwax or objects pushed in which have become stuck Throat infections (including tonsillitis ) and colds Trigeminal neuralgia or facial nerve pain Symptoms of earache As well as ear pain, earache from an ear infection can be especially troublesome for children and babies.

Symptoms include: Babies may appear hot and irritable Children may pull, tug or rub an ear Sleep problems and restlessness at night Coughing and runny nose Not hearing as well as normal Balance problems Seek urgent medical advice if your child develops a stiff neck, appears very tired , responds poorly or cannot be consoled. How is an ear infection diagnosed? When your doctor suspects an ear infection he or she will look in the ear using an instrument called an otoscope. A healthy eardrum is pinkish grey in colour and transparent. If an ear infection is present the eardrum may be inflamed, swollen or red. Further tests may be needed depending on what the doctor sees. Earache treatment Earache is usually treatable and unlikely to lead to long-term problems. Treatment may include over-the-counter age appropriate painkillers , such as paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain and fever. Holding a warm flannel to the painful ear for around 20 minutes is one self-help tip the NHS offers for earache. However, if an ear infection is suspected, avoid getting the inside of the ear wet. A pharmacist may be able to recommend over-the-counter eardrops for earache.

Olive oil may also help loosen earwax. Don't use eardrops or olive oil if the eardrum has burst. If a child has long-term earache or repeated ear infections small tubes called grommets may be recommended by a doctor to help keep the ear free of fluid and infection. A doctor may prescribe antibiotics for ear infections, although some research suggests antibiotics may not always be an effective treatment. Earache & Ear Pain: Symptoms and 12 Home Remedies for Relief Vertigo Earaches often need urgent medical care, and may be treated with natural home remedies, for example, warm compresses; OTC pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and acetaminophen (Tylenol and others); olive oil in the affected ear, and essential oils. Medical care should be sought when there is fever, ear drainage, vertigo , loss of hearing or decreased hearing associated with ear pain. Evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of earache is usually done in the health-care professional's office and little testing is needed. Picture of the structures of the ear What causes earaches and ear pain?

The ear has many parts to it, and each may cause ache, pain or other discomfort. Pain may come from one or many parts of the ear, depending on the situation. Causes of outer earaches The helix and auricle form the outer part of the ear cartilage and may become inflamed and infected. Inflammation may be due many reasons including: Skin infection or cellulitis Chronic skin irritations, like atopic dermatitis Trauma. An injured auricle is a common wrestling injury. If a hematoma (bruise/ blood clot ) forms, it can be very painful and may cause damage to the underlying cartilage, resulting in a cauliflower ear . The ear canal may be a source of pain due to infection or trauma. Causes of swimmer's ear (otitis externa) earache Otitis externa is inflammation of the ear canal, and is often referred to as "swimmer's ear." Irritation to the skin that lines the canal may be due to minor trauma, like trying to clean ear wax with a sharp object and causing a scratch that becomes inflamed or infected. swimmer's ear describes inflammation caused by retained water in the ear canal.

The dark, warm, moist area may promote bacterial growth and predispose to infection. Cerumen (ear wax) impaction. Ear wax is part of the body's protective mechanism to lubricate the ear canal and prevent infection. If the wax hardens and builds excessively, it may cause significant pain. This is especially true if the wax presses against the eardrum. Foreign body. When a foreign body is inserted in the ear and cannot be removed, pain and inflammation may occur. These may include Q-tips, hair pins, and other narrow objects that are often used to scratch an itch or to remove ear wax. This is never safe, and nothing should be inserted into the ear canal. In addition to irritation of the external canal, the ear drum may also be perforated or damaged. Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on 8/23/2016 Medical Author: Earache: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia Increased crying Irritability Many children will have minor hearing loss during or right after an ear infection. Most of the time the problem goes away. Lasting hearing loss is rare, but the risk increases with the number of infections.

Causes The eustachian tube runs from the middle part of each ear to the back of the throat. This tube drains fluid that is made in the middle ear. If the eustachian tube becomes blocked, fluid can build up. This may lead to pressure behind the eardrum or an ear infection . Ear pain in adults is less likely to be from an ear infection. Pain that you feel in the ear may be coming from another place, such as your teeth, the joint in your jaw ( temporomandibular joint ), or your throat. This is called "referred" pain. Causes of ear pain may include: Arthritis of the jaw Ear pain in a child or infant may be due to infection. Other causes may include: Ear canal irritation from cotton-tipped swabs Soap or shampoo staying in the ear Home Care The following steps may help an earache: Place a cold pack or cold wet washcloth on the outer ear for 20 minutes to reduce pain. Chewing may help relieve the pain and pressure of an ear infection. (Gum can be a choking hazard for young children.) Resting in an upright position instead of lying down can reduce pressure in the middle ear.

Over-the-counter ear drops can be used to relieve pain, as long as the eardrum has not ruptured. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can provide relief for children and adults with an earache. (DO NOT give aspirin to children.) Swallow or chew gum as the plane descends. Allow infants to suck on a bottle or breastfeed. The following steps can help prevent earaches: Avoid smoking near children. Secondhand smoke is a major cause of ear infections in children. Prevent outer ear infections by not putting objects in the ear. Dry the ears well after bathing or swimming. Take steps to control allergies. Try to avoid allergy triggers. Try a steroid nasal spray to help reduce ear infections. (However, over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants DO NOT prevent ear infections.) When to Contact a Medical Professional Call your health care provider if: Your child has a high fever, severe pain, or seems sicker than is usual for an ear infection. Your child has new symptoms such as dizziness, headache, swelling around the ear, or weakness in the face muscles. Severe pain suddenly stops (this may be a sign of a ruptured eardrum).

Symptoms (pain, fever, or irritability) get worse or do not improve within 24 to 48 hours. What to Expect at Your Office Visit The provider will do a physical exam and look at the ear, nose, and throat areas. Pain, tenderness, or redness of the mastoid bone behind the ear on the skull is often a sign of a serious infection. Alternative Names Otalgia; Pain - ear; Ear pain Images Medical findings based on ear anatomy References Bauer CA, Jenkins HA. Otologic symptoms and syndromes. In: Flint PW, Haughey BH, Lund V, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 156. Coker TR, Chan LS, Newberry SJ, et al. Diagnosis, microbial epidemiology, and antibiotic treatment of acute otitis media in children: a systematic review. JAMA. 2010;304(19):2161-2169. PMID: 21081729 .

Lieberthal AS, Carroll AE, Chonmaitree T, et al. The diagnosis and management of acute otitis media. Pediatrics. 2013;131(3): e964-e999. PMID: 23439909 . O'Handley JG, Tobin EJ, Shah AR. Otorhinolaryngology In: Rakel RE, Rakel DP eds. Textbook of Family Medicine. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 18. Read More Definition of Earache Definition of Earache Causes of a Heart Attack Slideshow Earache: Pain in the ear. This can occur because of conditions within the ear itself, the ear canal, or the visible external portion of the ear. Acute infection of the middle ear, medically called acute otitis media (AOM), is inflammation of the middle ear and is the most frequent diagnosis in sick children in the US. The eustachian tube is shorter in children than adults which allows easy entry of bacteria and viruses into the middle ear, resulting in acute otitis media in childhood.

Infection of the ear canal (otitis externa) is also called swimmer's ear . Otitis externa is typically caused by bacterial infection. Earache can also be due to pain and inflammation of the outer portion of the ear. Last Editorial Review: 6/9/2016 Ear Tubes: What to Expect Ear Tubes: What to Expect In this Article If your child gets frequent infections or fluid build-up in his middle ear , your doctor may recommend ear tubes . Some adults might need them, too, but it’s not as common. A doctor will have to do a brief surgery to put them in. Once in place, the tubes can help you or a child in your care get relief from the pain and loss of hearing from these infections. How Do Ear Tubes Work? They help improve air flow and balance pressure in the middle ear , the space right behind the eardrum. This allows fluid to drain out better. If you’re child has trouble with balance or delays in learning because of hearing problems, those will likely improve in the weeks and months after the tubes are in place. Your child can still get ear infections with tubes, but usually not as many.

The infections also won’t cause hearing loss and tend to go away on their own or with antibiotic eardrops. What’s the Surgery Like? The first step for younger children is to get medicine so they’ll sleep through the surgery. The main reason for this is to make sure your child doesn’t move during the procedure. You’ll take your youngster to a hospital or outpatient surgery center, and doctors keep a close eye on his heart rate , oxygen, and blood pressure to make sure everything’s going well. Older children and adults can have the surgery while they’re awake. For them, it can be done in the doctor’s office. The surgery itself takes about 15 minutes and has three steps. The doctor will: Make a small opening in the eardrum Drain fluid Place the tube in the opening Preparation Your doctor will give you details on how to get ready. Children who need to be given something to sleep will have to fast, or go without eating, for a certain number of hours before the surgery. Your child won’t be able to eat anything and can only drink certain liquids.

Continued Check with your doctor to make sure you know: How long your child has to fast What liquids are OK to drink If your child can take any medicine beforehand Your doctor also will want to know about: Any medicine your child takes Problems your child or anyone in your family has with drugs used for anesthesia (which make you unconscious so you won’t feel pain) Drug allergies your child has For adults getting ear tubes, your doctor may have similar questions. How Can I Comfort My Child? Children, like some adults, will have concerns about what’s happening. To help a little girl or boy in your care get ready for surgery, you may want to: Ask questions so she can talk about her feelings and you can make sure she’s not confused about anything. Be specific about how the surgery will help, such as “Your ear will feel so much better!” Talk ahead of time about going to the hospital -- a good general rule is to talk 2 days ahead of time for a 2 year old, 3 days for a 3 year old, and so on. Let him pick a toy or blanket to take to the hospital. Remind her you’ll be there the whole time. As you talk with children, it’s best to avoid certain phrases.

If you say “put you to sleep ,” that may remind them of a pet that’s been put down. Instead, you could talk about how a special doctor has medicine to help them sleep really well. The words “cut” or “make a hole” may make a child think of pain. Instead, you can say “make a small opening.” Recovery Children who have been given anesthesia take some time to fully wake up. They may be groggy, fussy, or a little queasy within the first 24 hours, but after that, they should be back to normal. You can usually take them home a few hours after the surgery. Your child can go home right away if he wasn’t given any anesthesia. The same is true for adults who get tubes. Continued Your doctor will talk to you about next steps. If everything goes as expected, this might mean a follow-up in 2 to 4 weeks, a hearing test, or eardrops to limit fluid coming from the ears. If you see yellow, brown, or bloody fluid from the ear for more than a week after surgery, tell your doctor.

You’ll also want to check with her if your loved one has ear pain , hearing problems, or seems to have trouble with balance. When Do the Tubes Come Out? There are two main types of tubes: Short-term tubes go in for 6 to 18 months and usually fall out on their own. Long-term tubes fall out on their own or could be taken out by a doctor. It’s rare, but sometimes tubes come out early. If that happens and fluid returns, your doctor may need to do the surgery again. Also, if they stay in too long, your doctor may have to remove them. Once the tubes are out, the eardrum usually closes up on its own. If it doesn’t, your doctor may do a procedure to fix it. WebMD Medical Reference Reviewed by William Blahd, MD on October 14, 2016 Sources

Question: In medicine, what is the more common name for otalgia?
Answer: Earache